Want to talk in person about your placemaking applications? Have special requests or questions? This Thursday there’s a placemaking office hours at City Repair’s office: 840 SE Alder St, PDX from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

On 3/21/15 permaculturalists gathered for the 4th annual SE PDX Permaculture Convergence to discuss strategies and activate support for pollinators. In the morning we had a permablast! to plant pollinator habitat around the neighborhood including two dozen properties around PRI.

“What if the paradigm transforms from either/or to that and more?” asked Kelli, who identifies as a migratory pollinator doing work in regional economic development. Kelli presented on the first night of the SE Permaculture Convergence, discuss her work with ecological art, intertwining aesthetics with habitat creation for pollinators. Brian Lacy added to the presentation, illuminating different contexts of why pollinators are declining, such as hybridized plants that don’t produce nectar and nerve agents applied to nursery plants. Besides the struggles, Brian shared creative ways to support bees, as well as the complexity of the situation in that there are different species that visit different flowers at different parts of the year.

Friday, March 20 a couple dozen folk gathered together to listen, share, dine, and dream about permaculture and supporting pollinators. After Brian and Kelli’s presentation, participants shared classes they’d like to teach the next day (today) and this is the schedule list:

This year’s gathering will be hosted by the communities of both Planet Repair Institute (in the Sellwood Neighborhood) and @ Foster Village (in the Mt. Scott-Arleta neighborhood). Events are taking place the weekend of March 20, 21, and 22, 2015. All experience levels are welcome – from beginners to permaculture experts.

Permaculture is a sustainable design science rooted in the observation of patterns in nature. For instance, the branching pattern found in a tree or a river is the same one found in your heart. By applying the self-organizing principles of nature to our human systems, we can grow beyond sustainability and build a truly regenerative culture.

Continuing on the momentum of last year when this event was hosted at Kailash EcoVillage, this is a special opportunity for Permies and the permaculture-curious in SE to gather together, share knowledge and skills, make connections, and inspire one another, taking the next steps in growing a regenerative culture in SE Portland and beyond.

The weekend will begin on Friday March 20th with a potluck dinner, after which we will plan the weekend organically based on what people are interested in discussing, presenting and contributing to the weekend.

The format for the gathering will include a pollinator Support “Perma-Blast”, discussion circles, presentations, skill-shares and hands-on projects. We will wrap up on Sunday afternoon after lunch with a next-steps session and closing circle.

Meals will be provided over the course of the weekend. For this, we are asking for a $35 contribution. If cost is a prohibitive issue, please inquire about work-trade opportunities.

Remember to bring a potluck dish for Friday evening. Please contact us if you need a place to stay.

• Please pay $35 upon arrival at PRI. These funds will support event costs and food